Page 18 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

I call her immediately. “Ana, can you dig deeper into those men? See if there’s a reason why they were all targets. Maybe chatters around the clan. I don’t want to ask Alexei; the killings will destabilize him. He’s going through enough already.”

“Already on it,” she replies. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything. Take care of yourself please.”

“Thanks, Ana. You too,” I say, hanging up. I feel a flicker of hope. We’re getting closer, piece by piece.

The day drags on. I force myself to stay focused, going over the evidence and looking for anything we might have missed. It is starting to feel like we are just running around in useless circles again.

Standing at the podium, I face the sea of reporters, their faces expectant and hungry for information. The recent murders have shaken Harmony Grove, and it’s my job to keep the public informed, even if I can’t tell them everything. I take a deep breath and begin.

"Good afternoon," I say, my voice steady. "I have an update on the recent tragic events. Last night, we discovered another set of victims. While I cannot disclose specific details about their identities, I can confirm that we are dealing with a highlydangerous individual or group targeting people in Harmony Grove."

The reporters’ pens are scratching furiously, and cameras are clicking. I continue, careful with my words. "We are investigating all possible leads. We have reason to believe that the killer, or killers, are methodical and leave little evidence behind. However, we are making progress."

I glance at my notes, then back at the crowd. "I urge anyone with information about a vehicle seen near the bar on the night of the first murders to come forward. Specifically, we need details about the driver of the Mayor’s SUV. Your information could be crucial."

The questions start flying as soon as I pause. I point to a reporter in the front row.

"Sheriff Evelyn, are you trying to divert suspicion away from Alexei because of your personal connection?"

I raise my left hand, displaying my vacant ring finger. "As you can see, the engagement has been called off. My commitment is to this town and to justice. I assure you, the investigation is being conducted fairly and without bias."

Another reporter stands. "Do you have any suspects at this time?"

"We are following multiple leads," I reply. "But we need the community’s help. If anyone saw anything suspicious, no matter how small, please come forward. We also know the mayor was sitting with an unknown female at the bar on the night of the murders, we would appreciate it if anyone who saw them could come forward."

The press conference continues for another ten minutes, with more questions and the same answers. I wrap it up, thanking everyone for their time, and step back inside the building.

As I walk through the hallway, one of the deputies, Cara, approaches me. "Don’t let them get under your skin, Sheriff," she says, her tone supportive.

I nod, appreciating her words. "Thanks, Cara. It’s tough, but we have to stay focused."

Back in my office, I sit down and take a moment to gather my thoughts. The pressure is immense, and the accusations about my fairness sting, but I can’t let it deter me. I need to find the real killer and clear Alexei’s name.

Chapter 9: The Council’s Pressure

EVELYN

I stand before the supernatural council, the tension in the room palpable. The council members, a mix of witches, vampires, and other supernatural elders, watch me with scrutinizing eyes. They are the forces that keep the individual leaders of each supernatural group in check. This time, I face them alone. The usual support I feel from Alexei is absent, and the weight of their expectations presses down on me.

"Evelyn," Karla, the leader of the coven, begins, her voice cold and authoritative. "You are here to explain why we still have no leads on the murderer of our kind. Instead, it seems you are more focused on exonerating Alexei."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "The investigation is ongoing. The murders are connected, and we are following every lead to find the perpetrator."

Karla’s eyes narrow. "Connected or not, Alexei is still a suspect. If you cannot prove otherwise, he will be punished for the murders of the Luminara witches."

"I understand your frustration," I say, trying to keep my voice calm. "But Alexei is in solitary confinement. He couldn’t have committed the recent murders."

"That doesn’t absolve him of the initial murders," another council member interjects. "What proof do you have that he wasn’t involved in those?"

"We have found new evidence," I explain. "A piece of skin under the nails of one of the victims. We are running DNA tests to identify the killer. Also, Alexei left the bar with someone driving him, he was unconscious in the passenger’s seat, and we are working hard to identify the driver too. "

Karla leans forward, her eyes piercing into mine. "Evidence is not enough, Evelyn. We need results. You have one week to prove Alexei’s innocence, to find the real killer if you think he is innocent."

The room falls silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. I swallow hard, feeling the enormity of the task ahead. "Understood."

"See that you do," Karla says, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. "This meeting is adjourned."

I nod and turn to leave, feeling the eyes of the council on my back. As I step into the hallway, I spot Karla heading in the opposite direction. I quicken my pace, catching up to her.

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